Fishing reel

ABSTRACT

A fishing reel comprises a clutch mechanism that switches a spool between a driving force transmission state and a driving force interruption state, and return mechanisms that causes the clutch mechanism that has been brought into the driving force interruption state to return to the driving force transmission state. The clutch mechanism comprises a clutch operating member. The return mechanisms comprises clutch returning rotators and kick members that engage with/disengage from the clutch returning rotators and return the clutch operating member brought into the driving force interruption state to the driving force transmission state. A reel body comprises fixing plates that retain at least one of a handle shaft and the clutch operating member. The fixing plates function as restriction portions that guide and restrict the movement of the kick members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to JapanesePatent Application No. 2022-73882 filed on Apr. 27, 2022 in the JapanesePatent Office, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a fishing reel.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a double bearing type fishing reel is known as a fishingreel (see, for example, JP 2010-172203 A).

Generally, a fishing reel includes a clutch mechanism that switches apower transmission state to a spool. The clutch mechanism includes anoperation lever, and is configured to be switched from a clutch-onposition in a driving force transmission state to a clutch-off positionin a driving force interruption state by an operation of the operationlever. Further, the fishing reel includes a return mechanism that causesthe clutch mechanism in the driving force interruption state to returnto the driving force transmission state.

The clutch mechanism has a clutch returning rotator that rotates inconjunction with a handle shaft, a clutch operating piece that engageswith/disengages from the clutch returning rotator, and a guiderestriction portion that guides and restricts the movement of the clutchoperating piece. The clutch operating piece disclosed in JP 2010-172203A is configured to move by engaging with the guide restriction portiondirectly provided on a frame of a reel body.

SUMMARY

In JP 2010-172203 A, since the guide restriction portion is directlyprovided on the frame of the reel body, there is a risk that an increasein size and an increase in weight of the reel body are caused.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, andprovides a fishing reel that can prevent an increase in size and weightof a reel body.

A fishing reel according to the present disclosure that solves the aboveproblems comprises: a spool that is provided between frames of a reelbody and rotates by receiving at least a driving force of a handleshaft; a clutch mechanism that switches the spool between a drivingforce transmission state and a driving force interruption state; and areturn mechanism that causes the clutch mechanism that has been broughtinto the driving force interruption state to return to the driving forcetransmission state. The fishing reel further comprises: a clutchoperating member that is provided in the clutch mechanism and is broughtinto the driving force interruption state by an operation of a clutchlever; a clutch returning rotator (ratchet and gear B) and a kick memberthat are provided in the return mechanism, the clutch returning rotatorrotating by receiving a rotational force, the kick member engagingwith/disengaging from the clutch returning rotator and causing theclutch operating member that has been brought into the driving forceinterruption state to return to the driving force transmission state;and a fixing plate that is provided in the reel body and retains atleast one of the handle shaft and the clutch operating member. Thefixing plate functions as a restriction portion that guides andrestricts movement of the kick member.

According to the fishing reel, since the movement of the kick member canbe guided and restricted using the fixing plate, it is not necessary toseparately provide the restriction portion, and the configuration issimplified. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide therestriction portion on the side of the frame, space saving can beachieved accordingly. Therefore, miniaturization and weight reductioncan be achieved.

Further, in a case where the fishing reel comprises a dividing springthat elastically divides engagement/disengagement of the kick memberwith/from the clutch returning rotator, the dividing spring ispreferably retained by the fixing plate.

According to the fishing reel, it is possible to prevent the dividingspring from falling off by the fixing plate and to suitably maintain thegood movement of the kick member.

Further, the kick member is preferably disposed between the frame andthe fixing plate.

According to the fishing reel, when the components are assembled to thereel body, the kick member is disposed on the frame, and the fixingplate is attached from above the kick member, so that the kick membercan be held between the frame and the fixing plate. Therefore, theassembly work is simple.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain a fishingreel that can prevent an increase in size and weight of a reel body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a fishing electric reel as afishing reel according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a right side portion of thefishing electric reel;

FIG. 3A is a right side view illustrating a positional relation of eachcomponent in a driving force transmission state;

FIG. 3B is a right side view illustrating a positional relation of eachcomponent in a driving force interruption state;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating a positional relation betweena guide protrusion portion and a guide hole of a second kick member inthe driving force transmission state;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an engagement gear;

FIG. 5B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a crosssection along an axial direction of the engagement gear;

FIG. 5C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a crosssection of a main part along a radial direction of the engagement gear;

FIG. 5D is an explanatory view illustrating a rotation range of a clawportion in the engagement gear;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating a fixing plate, and FIG. 6Bis a side view illustrating the fixing plate;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view illustrating a structure around a frontend of a clutch operating member;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view illustrating a second kick member, andFIG. 8B is a side view illustrating the second kick member;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged explanatory view illustrating a positionalrelation of guide protrusion portions in the guide hole;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a support structure of ahandle shaft with respect to the fixing plate;

FIG. 11A is an explanatory view illustrating a positional relation ofthe second kick member when a clutch lever is pushed down from thedriving force transmission state;

FIG. 11B is an explanatory view illustrating a positional relation ofthe second kick member when the clutch lever is further pushed down fromthe state in FIG. 11A and the engagement protrusion portion of thesecond kick member rises;

FIG. 11C is an explanatory view illustrating a positional relation ofthe second kick member in the driving force interruption state;

FIG. 11D is an explanatory view illustrating a positional relation ofthe second kick member when the second kick member moves from thedriving force interruption state to the driving force transmission stateby a second return mechanism;

FIG. 11E is an explanatory view illustrating a positional relation whenthe second kick member further moves to the driving force transmissionstate from the state of FIG. 11D;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view illustrating an action in a case wherethe engagement protrusion portion of the second kick member interfereswith an engagement claw;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of aright side portion of a fishing electric reel as a fishing reelaccording to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a main structure of the rightside portion of the fishing electric reel;

FIG. 16A is an explanatory view illustrating a positional relationbetween a restriction hole of a first kick member and a restrictionprotrusion portion of a fixing plate in a driving force transmissionstate;

FIG. 16B is an explanatory view illustrating a positional relationbetween the restriction hole of the first kick member and therestriction protrusion portion of the fixing plate when a clutch leveris pushed down from the state of FIG. 16A to be brought into a drivingforce interruption state;

FIG. 16C is an explanatory view illustrating a positional relationbetween the restriction hole of the first kick member and a steppedextension portion of the fixing plate when the first kick member movesto the driving force transmission state from the driving forceinterruption state in FIG. 16B; and

FIG. 16D is an explanatory view illustrating a positional relationbetween the restriction hole of the first kick member and the steppedextension portion of the fixing plate when the first kick member furthermoves to the driving force transmission state from the state in FIG.16C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of a fishing reel according to the presentdisclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In thefollowing description, a fishing electric reel will be described as anexample of the fishing reel. In the following description, terms “frontand rear”, “left and right”, and “up and down” are based on directionsillustrated in FIG. 1 .

First Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a fishing electric reel 100 has a reel body 1comprising left and right frames 2 and 2 and left and right side plates3 and 3 (only a right side plate is illustrated) disposed to cover theleft and right frames 2 and 2. A counter case 4 as a display unit isdisposed in a front portion of a top surface of the reel body 1. Thecounter case 4 internally has a control unit that controls the operationof an electric motor 6.

The left and right frames 2 and 2 are portions forming a skeleton of thereel body 1, and are integrated into the left and right via a post. Areel leg 2 a to be mounted on a reel seat of a fishing rod notillustrated in the drawings is provided in the lower post. The left andright frames 2 and 2 are formed of, for example, a metal material suchas an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy.

A spool 5 around which a fishing line is wound is rotatably supportedbetween the left and right frames 2 and 2. In front of the spool 5, theelectric motor 6 is supported by the left and right frames 2 and 2.

The electric motor 6 comprises a drive shaft (not illustrated in thedrawings) extending toward the left and right frames 2 and 2. A drivingdeceleration mechanism that decelerates a rotational driving force ofthe electric motor 6 and transmits the rotational driving force to theside of the spool 5 is connected to the drive shaft extending to theside of the left frame 2. In addition, a returning decelerationmechanism 6 a that decelerates the rotational driving force of theelectric motor 6 and transmits the rotational driving force to a secondreturn mechanism 40 to be described later is connected to the driveshaft extending to the side of the right frame 2.

The left and right side plates 3 and 3 are portions gripped and held bya hand of a fisherman (portions which the hand of the fishermancontacts). The left and right side plates 3 and 3 are integrally formedindividually and mounted on the left and right frames 2 and 2,respectively.

The right side plate 3 is provided with a handle shaft 7 to which amanual handle is attached. The spool 5 is rotationally driven in afishing line winding direction via a driving force transmissionmechanism by the driving force by the winding operation of the manualhandle and the rotational driving force of the electric motor 6. Thedriving force transmission mechanism by the electric motor 6 is providedon the side of the left frame 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, the right frame 2 is providedwith a driving force transmission mechanism 10 that transmits thedriving force by the manual handle to the spool 5, a clutch mechanism 20that switches the spool 5 between a driving force transmission state anda driving force interruption state, and a return mechanism that causesthe clutch mechanism 20 that has been brought into the driving forceinterruption state to return to the driving force transmission state.Among them, the return mechanism comprises a first return mechanism 30that causes the clutch mechanism 20 to return to the driving forcetransmission state using the rotational driving force of the handle(handle shaft 7) and a second return mechanism 40 that causes the clutchmechanism 20 to return to the driving force transmission state using therotational driving force of the electric motor 6. That is, the fishingelectric reel 100 of the present embodiment comprises the two returnmechanisms by the manual operation and the electric operation. Detailsof the first return mechanism 30 and the second return mechanism 40 willbe described later.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the driving force transmission mechanism 10comprises a drive gear 11 supported by the handle shaft 7 and a pinion12 meshing with the drive gear 11. The drive gear 11 rotates integrallywith the handle shaft 7, and transmits a driving force by the rotationoperation of the manual handle to the pinion 12. The pinion 12 isprovided on a pinion shaft (not illustrated in the drawings) rotatablysupported by the right side plate 3 via a bearing. The pinion shaftextends coaxially with the spool shaft not illustrated in the drawings.A yoke 24 (to be described later) of the clutch mechanism 20 engageswith the pinion 12. The pinion 12 is configured to be movable in anaxial direction along the pinion shaft by an action (to be describedlater) of the yoke 24.

The pinion 12 has a fitting portion to be fitted into the spool shaft.When the pinion 12 is moved to the side of the spool 5 by the yoke 24,the pinion 12 is brought into a state where the fitting portion isfitted into the spool shaft so that the driving force of the drive gear11 is transmitted to the spool shaft (spool 5) (driving forcetransmission state (fishing line windable state)). In addition, when thepinion 12 is moved to the side of the right side plate 3 by the yoke 24,the pinion 12 is brought into a state where the fitting portiondisengages from the spool shaft so that the driving force of the drivegear 11 is not transmitted to the spool shaft (spool 5) (driving forceinterruption state (fishing line unwindable state)).

The clutch mechanism 20 comprises a clutch lever 21, a clutch frame 22,a clutch operating member 23, and a yoke 24. The clutch lever 21 isdisposed between rear ends of the left and right frames 2 and 2 behindthe spool 5 so as to be operable while thumbing the spool 5. The clutchlever 21 is a member that switches the clutch mechanism 20 from thedriving force transmission state to the driving force interruption stateby placing a thumb and pushing down.

The clutch frame 22 is a metal member that supports the clutch lever 21.The clutch frame 22 is fitted into a fitting recess 23 b (see FIG. 4 )formed on the right side surface of the clutch operating member 23, andis integrally attached to the clutch operating member 23. An arm 23 athat supports the clutch lever 21 is provided at a rear end of theclutch frame 22. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the arm 23 a is movable inan up-down direction along a communication hole 2 b formed at a rear endof the right frame 2.

The clutch operating member 23 is an annular rotator rotatable about thespool shaft (pinion shaft). The clutch operating member 23 is formed ofa material having high strength and excellent wear resistance, forexample, polyacetal (POM).

The clutch operating member 23 has a pair of cams 23 k and 23 k (seeFIG. 4 ) engageable with the yoke 24. The cams 23 k and 23 k engagewith/disengage from the yoke 24 along with the rotation of the clutchoperating member 23, and move the yoke 24 along the pinion shaft.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, a long hole 27 extending in a circumferentialdirection is formed in the rear portion of the clutch operating member23. A boss portion (pin) (not illustrated in the drawings) protrudingfrom the right frame 2 engages with the long hole 27, and engagement ofthe boss portion defines a rotation range of the clutch operating member23. A screw member 27 a is screwed into the boss portion from the rightside of the clutch frame 22.

The clutch operating member 23 is elastically divided into the drivingforce transmission state, which is a clutch-on position, and the drivingforce interruption state, which is a clutch-off position, by a dividingspring member 28 interposed between the clutch operating member and theright frame 2. As the dividing spring member 28, a torsion spring isused.

The yoke 24 is a member that moves in a left-right direction along thepinion shaft in conjunction with the rotation operation of the clutchoperating member 23. The yoke 24 has a pair of arms 24 a and 24 a thatis fitted into a circumferential groove (not illustrated in thedrawings) of the pinion 12 over approximately 180° and extends in aradial direction. The arms 24 a and 24 a of the yoke 24 are held bysupport pins 25 and 25 protruding from the right frame 2, and the yoke24 is constantly biased toward the clutch operating member 23 by aspring member (not illustrated in the drawings) disposed on each of thesupport pins 25 and 25.

As described above, the first return mechanism 30 is a mechanism thatcauses the clutch mechanism 20 to return to the driving forcetransmission state using the rotational driving force of the handle(handle shaft 7).

The first return mechanism 30 comprises a ratchet 31 as a clutchreturning rotator and a first kick member 32. The ratchet 31 is fixed tothe handle shaft 7 to prevent rotation, and rotates integrally with thehandle shaft 7.

The first kick member 32 is disposed on the side surface of the rightframe 2 below the pinion 12 (pinion shaft) in side view, and has asubstantially rectangular plate shape. The first kick member 32 has along hole 32 a through which one support pin 25 is inserted, arectangular restriction hole 32 b through which a restriction projection33 provided on the side surface of the right frame 2 is inserted, and anengagement portion 32 c which engages with the ratchet 31. A coil spring34 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) that biases the engagement portion 32 c towardthe ratchet 31 is attached to a portion near the engagement portion 32c. Note that, in the following FIGS. 4 and 11A to 11E, the coil spring34 is omitted for simplicity.

In the driving force transmission state illustrated in FIG. 3A, thefirst kick member 32 is pressed by the rotation of the clutch operatingmember 23, and is disposed at a position rotated clockwise about thesupport pin 25 as a fulcrum. As a result, in the driving forcetransmission state, the engagement portion 32 c is disposed at aposition separated from the ratchet 31.

On the other hand, when the first kick member 32 is switched from thedriving force transmission state to the driving force interruptionstate, the engagement portion 32 c moves into a rotational trajectory ofthe ratchet 31 as illustrated in FIG. 3B. As a result, when the handleis operated to rotate in the driving force interruption state, the firstkick member 32 abuts on (is kicked by) the ratchet 31 and moves rearwardand obliquely upward. With this movement, a distal end 32 e of the firstkick member 32 abuts on a recess 23 j (see FIG. 4 ) of the clutchoperating member 23, and the clutch operating member 23 is rotated in aclockwise direction. As a result, the clutch mechanism 20 is returnedfrom the driving force interruption state to the driving forcetransmission state. Note that the return of the clutch mechanism 20 canalso be performed by pushing up the clutch lever 21.

As described above, the second return mechanism 40 is a mechanism thatcauses the clutch mechanism 20 to return to the driving forcetransmission state using the rotational driving force of the electricmotor 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the second return mechanism 40 comprises areturning gear 41, an engagement gear 42 functioning as a clutchreturning rotator, and a second kick member 43. The engagement gear 42and the second kick member 43 are disposed between the spool shaft(pinion shaft) and an output shaft 6 b (see FIG. 3A; motor shaft) of thereturning deceleration mechanism 6 a. Here, the second return mechanism40 is driven by the control of a control unit 60 as a control unitillustrated in FIG. 13 .

As illustrated in FIG. 13 , the control unit 60 comprises a detectionunit 61, a calculation unit 62, a rotation speed determination unit 63,a feeding amount determination unit 64, and a driving control unit 65.

When the clutch mechanism 20 is in the driving force interruption state,the detection unit 61 detects this. A position sensor 66 that detectsthe position of the clutch operating member 23 is connected to thedetection unit 61. When a detection signal is input from the positionsensor 66, the detection unit 61 detects that the clutch mechanism 20 isin the driving force interruption state, and outputs the detectionsignal to the driving control unit 65. The position sensor 66 caninclude, for example, a magnetic sensor provided on the side of theright frame 2 and a magnet provided on the side of the clutch operatingmember 23.

The calculation unit 62 calculates a rotation speed of the spool 5associated with feeding of the fishing line and calculates a feedingamount of the fishing line. A rotation detection sensor 67 that detectsthe rotation of the spool 5 is connected to the calculation unit 62. Thecalculation unit 62 calculates the rotation speed of the spool 5 basedon a rotation signal of the spool 5 input from the rotation detectionsensor 67, and outputs a calculated value to the rotation speeddetermination unit 63. In addition, the calculation unit 62 calculatesthe feeding amount of the fishing line based on the calculated rotationspeed of the spool 5, and outputs a calculated value to the feedingamount determination unit 64.

The rotation speed determination unit 63 determines whether or not thevalue of the rotation speed of the spool 5 calculated by the calculationunit 62 satisfies a predetermined condition set in advance. When it isdetermined that the value of the rotation speed of the spool 5 satisfiesthe predetermined condition set in advance, the rotation speeddetermination unit 63 outputs a determination result to the drivingcontrol unit 65. Note that the predetermined condition at the rotationspeed of the spool 5 can be appropriately set by selecting a functionincluded in the counter case 4 (see FIG. 1 ).

The feeding amount determination unit 64 determines whether or not thefeeding amount of the fishing line calculated by the calculation unit 62has reached a preset feeding amount of the fishing line. When it isdetermined that a calculated value of the feeding amount of the fishingline has reached the preset feeding amount of the fishing line, thefeeding amount determination unit 64 outputs a determination result tothe driving control unit 65. Note that the setting of the feeding amountof the fishing line (for example, setting for stopping the rotation ofthe spool 5 and stopping a fishing tackle at a predetermined shelf(water depth) and the like) can be appropriately performed by selectinga function provided in the counter case 4 (see FIG. 1 ).

The driving control unit 65 controls driving of the electric motor 6 ina forward rotation direction or a reverse rotation direction. When it isdetermined by the detection unit 61 that the clutch mechanism 20 is inthe driving force interruption state and it is determined by therotation speed determination unit 63 that the rotation speed of thespool 5 satisfies the predetermined condition, or when it is determinedby the feeding amount determination unit 64 that the feeding amount ofthe fishing line has reached the preset feeding amount of the fishingline, the driving control unit 65 controls driving of the electric motor6 in the reverse rotation direction. That is, the driving control unit65 has a return control function of returning the clutch mechanism 20from the driving force interruption state to the driving forcetransmission state, in addition to the normal winding control.

Next, each component of the second return mechanism 40 will be describedin detail.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the returning gear 41 of the secondreturn mechanism 40 is attached to the output shaft 6 b of the returningdeceleration mechanism 6 a connected to the electric motor 6, androtates in the clockwise direction when the electric motor 6 is drivenin the reverse rotation by the driving control of the control unit 60.Note that the returning gear 41 does not rotate in the counterclockwisedirection by the returning deceleration mechanism 6 a or a one-wayclutch incorporated in a configuration different from that of thereturning deceleration mechanism 6 a.

The engagement gear 42 meshes with the returning gear 41, and receivesthe rotational driving force of the returning gear 41 to push the secondkick member 43 downward (return from the driving force interruptionstate to the driving force transmission state). The second kick member43 is a member for returning the clutch operating member 23 brought intothe driving force interruption state to the driving force transmissionstate. The second kick member 43 is configured to engage with/disengagefrom the engagement gear 42 by rotating in conjunction with the rotationof the clutch operating member 23. The second kick member 43 is retainedby a fixing plate 50 for fixing the handle shaft 7 to the right frame 2.The second kick member 43 is formed of a stainless steel material havingstrength and excellent wear resistance.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the engagement gear 42 comprises a gear body421 and a claw portion 426 rotatably assembled to the gear body 421.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the gear body 421 comprises acylindrical base portion 422 and a tooth portion 423 integrally formedon a right side portion of the base portion 422. The base portion 422 isfixed to the output shaft 6 b (see FIG. 3A) of the returningdeceleration mechanism 6 a to prevent rotation. As illustrated in FIG.5B, a stepped cylindrical inner surface portion 422 a into which aninsertion portion 427 of the claw portion 426 is inserted is formedinside the base portion 422. As illustrated in FIG. 5C, a protrusionportion 422 b protruding radially inward is formed inside the baseportion 422. The protrusion portion 422 b has a substantially triangularcross section, and a total of four protrusion portions are formed atintervals of 90 degrees in a circumferential direction of the innersurface of the base portion 422. A rotation space portion 422 e forsecuring the rotation of the claw portion 426 is formed between theadjacent protrusion portions 422 b. Each of the protrusion portions 422b comprises a right angle surface 422 c extending in the axial directionand an inclined surface 422 d extending in the axial direction, androtatably supports the insertion portion 427 of the claw portion 426 ateach vertex portion.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the claw portion 426 comprises a cylindricalinsertion portion 427 to be inserted into the inner surface portion 422a of the base portion 422, and a substantially cylindrical largediameter portion 428 continuous with the left side of the insertionportion 427. A gap portion 424 is formed between the right side portionof the large diameter portion 428 and the left side portion of the baseportion 422 facing the right side portion, and a spring member 425 isdisposed. The spring member 425 functions as a biasing member thatbiases the claw portion 426 in the counterclockwise direction (directionof an arrow X1 in FIG. 5C) with respect to the base portion 422. On anouter peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 428, twoengagement claws 429 and 429 (only one is illustrated) are formed toprotrude at intervals of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction.Each engagement claw 429 comprises an engagement surface 429 a risingsubstantially at a right angle in the radial direction (see FIG. 12 ).

As illustrated in FIG. 5C, a restriction protrusion portion 426 aprotruding outward in the radial direction is formed on the outerperipheral surface of the insertion portion 427 of the claw portion 426.The restriction protrusion portion 426 a has a substantiallyquadrangular cross section, and a total of four restriction protrusionportions are formed at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferentialdirection of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 427.Each restriction protrusion portion 426 a is disposed in each rotationspace portion 422 e of the base portion 422, and is rotatable in theclockwise direction (see an arrow X2 in FIG. 5D) against the biasingforce of the spring member 425 within a range partitioned in thecircumferential direction by the right angle surface 422 c and theinclined surface 422 d of the adjacent protrusion portions 422 b and 422b (within a range of the size in the circumferential direction of therotation space portion 422 e). That is, the engagement claw 429 of theclaw portion 426 is configured to take a first position (a positionillustrated in FIG. 5C) moved in the rotation direction of theengagement gear 42 and a second position (a position illustrated in FIG.5D) moved in the opposite direction, and is configured to be biased fromthe second position toward the first position by the biasing force ofthe spring member 425. As illustrated in FIG. 5D, a rotation angle ofeach restriction protrusion portion 426 a is expressed by an angle θ1defined by the inclined surface 422 d and the facing surface of therestriction protrusion portion 426 a facing the inclined surface. Theangle θ1 is set to a size that allows a sliding distance L1 (see FIG. 12) to be described later when the second kick member 43 abuts on thelarge diameter portion 428 of the engagement gear 42.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the second kick member 43 comprises arotation support portion 431, a spring locking portion 437 extendingrearward from the rotation support portion 431, an engagement protrusionportion 433 extending upward from the rotation support portion 431, anda guide portion 435 extending forward and downward from the rotationsupport portion 431.

A support hole 432 through which a rotation support shaft 23 d (see FIG.7 ) of the clutch operating member 23 is inserted is formed in a centerportion of the rotation support portion 431. A locking hole 438 isformed at a rear end of the spring locking portion 437. The engagementprotrusion portion 433 is a portion that abuts on the engagement claw429 of the engagement gear 42, and comprises an abutting portion 434 ata distal end. The abutting portion 434 is formed by bending an upper endof the engagement protrusion portion 433 leftward at a substantiallyright angle. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the abutting portion 434 isdisposed slightly forward with respect to the support hole 432 in sideview. The guide portion 435 is curved in a substantially U shape in sideview and has a distal end facing rearward and downward. A guideprotrusion portion 436 is provided at the distal end of the guideportion 435. The guide protrusion portion 436 is formed by bending thedistal end of the guide portion 435 rightward at a substantially rightangle.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the second kick member 43 is attached to afront end 23 c of the clutch operating member 23. As illustrated in FIG.7 , the front end 23 c has a substantially quadrangular flat plate shapein side view, and extends toward the front of the clutch operatingmember 23. An attachment seat 23 e on which the second kick member 43 isdisposed is formed at a lower front portion of the front end 23 c. Theouter contour of the attachment seat 23 e is formed in a circular shapecorresponding to the circular shape of the rotation support portion 431of the second kick member 43. In the attachment seat 23 e, the rotationsupport shaft 23 d that is inserted into the support hole 432 of thesecond kick member 43 protrudes.

On the other hand, a holding protrusion portion 23 f that holds thesecond kick member 43 in an upright posture (a posture in which theabutting portion 434 faces directly upward) is formed at an upper frontportion of the front end 23 c. The holding protrusion portion 23 fprotrudes toward the right side of the front end 23 c, and abuts on therear portion of the engagement protrusion portion 433 of the second kickmember 43 to hold the posture of the second kick member 43.

A locking hole 23 g is formed in a rear portion of the front end 23 c. Arear end of the spring member 29 connected to the second kick member 43is locked to the locking hole 23 g. The rear end of the spring member 29is inserted into the locking hole 23 g from the right side, and iscovered with an upper portion 52 a of the rear portion 52 of the fixingplate 50 from the right side to be retained.

The spring member 29 functions as a dividing spring that elasticallydivides the engagement/disengagement of the second kick member 43 withrespect to the engagement gear 42. In the present embodiment, a torsionspring is used as the spring member 29. In the driving forcetransmission state of the clutch mechanism 20, the second kick member 43is divided and held in a non-engagement state in which the engagementprotrusion portion 433 abuts on the holding protrusion portion 23 f, bythe spring member 29. In addition, in the driving force interruptionstate of the clutch mechanism 20, the second kick member 43 is dividedand held in an engagement state in which the second kick member 43 abutson the claw portion 426 of the engagement gear 42 and can engage withthe engagement claw 429, by the spring member 29.

As described above, the fixing plate 50 mainly has two functions of afunction of fixing the handle shaft 7 to the right frame 2 and afunction of retaining the second kick member 43. The fixing plate 50covers a part of the front side of the clutch operating member 23, andalso has a function of holding the front side of the clutch operatingmember 23. Similarly to the second kick member 43, the fixing plate 50is formed of a stainless steel material having strength and excellentwear resistance.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the fixing plate 50 comprises acenter portion 51, a rear portion 52 continuous with the rear side ofthe center portion 51, and a front portion 53 continuous with the frontside of the center portion 51. A groove 56 extending in the up-downdirection and having a substantially U-shape in side view is formedbetween the rear portion 52 and the front portion 53. The handle shaft 7is inserted into the fixing plate 50 through a lower end of the groove56 and attached to the right frame 2 (see FIG. 2 ).

Here, the handle shaft 7 is provided with a one-way clutch (notillustrated in the drawings) and a known drag mechanism 7 a illustratedin FIG. 10 . The drag mechanism 7 a applies a drag force to the rotationof the spool 5 when the fishing line is fed out from the spool 5 duringfishing. Note that a star-shaped drag adjustment knob (star drag) foradjusting the drag force by the drag mechanism 7 a is provided betweenthe reel body 1 and the handle. The drag mechanism 7 a comprises aplurality of braking members (friction plate, washer, and the like) 7 bdisposed in a recess 11 b of the drive gear 11. The drag mechanism 7 ahas a function of adjusting a pressing force of a pressing member 7 cwith respect to the braking member 7 b and adjusting a rotationalfriction force (drag force) of the drive gear 11 with the handle shaft 7by rotationally operating the drag adjustment knob.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6A and 6B, the rear portion 52 of thefixing plate 50 covers a part of the front portion of the clutchoperating member 23, and rotatably holds the front portion of the clutchoperating member 23. The upper portion 52 a of the rear portion 52extends upward so as to cover the locking hole 23 g of the front end 23c of the clutch operating member 23, and retains the rear end of thespring member 29 over the entire rotation of the clutch operating member23. An extension portion 52 b extending rearward is formed in a lowerportion of the rear portion 52. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the extensionportion 52 b extends so as to cover a part of the first kick member 32,and abuts on the first kick member 32 from the right side to support thefirst kick member 32.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6A and 6B, the front portion 53 of thefixing plate 50 faces the rear portion 52 with the groove 56 interposedtherebetween, and comprises a substantially triangular guide hole 55opened in the up-down direction. The guide hole 55 functions as arestriction hole that restricts the rotation position of the second kickmember 43 with respect to the engagement claw 429 of the engagement gear42. The guide protrusion portion 436 of the second kick member 43 isinserted into the guide hole 55. The upper portion 53 a of the frontportion 53 holds the rotation support shaft 23 d (the rotation supportportion 431 of the second kick member 43) over the entire movement ofthe second kick member 43 associated with the rotation of the clutchoperating member 23.

An attachment portion 54 to which the front end of the coil spring 34(see FIG. 3A) is attached is provided at the lower portion of the frontportion 53.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 , the guide hole 55 comprises an upper edgeportion 55 a, a front upper edge portion 55 b continuous with the frontside of the upper edge portion 55 a, a front lower edge portion 55 ccontinuous with the lower side of the front upper edge portion 55 b, alower edge portion 55 d continuous with the lower side of the frontlower edge portion 55 c, a rear lower edge portion 55 e continuous withthe rear side of the lower edge portion 55 d, and a rear upper edgeportion 55 f continuous with the upper side of the rear lower edgeportion 55 e and connected to the rear side of the upper edge portion 55a. The upper edge portion 55 a and the lower edge portion 55 d aresubstantially parallel to each other. The front upper edge portion 55 bis inclined forward and downward from a front end of the upper edgeportion 55 a. The front lower edge portion 55 c is inclined rearward anddownward from a lower end of the front upper edge portion 55 b, and isentirely recessed forward in a gentle arc shape. The rear lower edgeportion 55 e is inclined forward and upward from a rear end of the loweredge portion 55 d. The rear upper edge portion 55 f is inclined rearwardand upward from an upper end of the rear lower edge portion 55 e and isconnected to a rear end of the upper edge portion 55 a.

Next, a positional relation between the guide protrusion portion 436 ofthe second kick member 43 and each edge portion of the guide hole 55will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 11A to 11E whilereferring to FIG. 9 .

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , when the clutch mechanism 20 is in theclutch-on position (driving force transmission state), as illustrated inFIG. 9 , the guide protrusion portion 436 is disposed at a firstposition P1 which is a lower region of the guide hole 55 and is in aregion surrounded by the front lower edge portion 55 c, the lower edgeportion 55 d, and the rear lower edge portion 55 e.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, when the clutch lever 21 of the clutchmechanism 20 is pushed down with the fingers from this state, the clutchoperating member 23 rotates in the counterclockwise direction about arotation axis O1, and the second kick member 43 moves upward from theposition in FIG. 4 . At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , the guideprotrusion portion 436 of the second kick member 43 moves upward alongthe front lower edge portion 55 c from the lower end position of thefront lower edge portion 55 c of the guide hole 55, and moves to asecond position P2 in contact with the vicinity of the lower end of thefront upper edge portion 55 b. Note that the engagement protrusionportion 433 of the second kick member 43 remains in contact with theholding protrusion portion 23 f of the front end 23 c of the clutchoperating member 23.

Then, when the clutch lever 21 is continuously pushed down, asillustrated in FIG. 11B, the clutch mechanism 20 rotates in thecounterclockwise direction beyond a dead point of the dividing springmember 28. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , the guide protrusionportion 436 of the second kick member 43 moves from the second positionP2 to a third position P3 near the upper end of the front upper edgeportion 55 b. With this movement, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, the secondkick member 43 rotates in the clockwise direction about the rotationsupport shaft 23 d, and reaches the dead point by the spring member 29.As a result, the engagement protrusion portion 433 of the second kickmember 43 takes an upright posture away from the holding protrusionportion 23 f.

Thereafter, when the clutch lever 21 is further pushed down, the clutchmechanism 20 is brought into the driving force interruption state asillustrated in FIG. 11C. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , theguide protrusion portion 436 of the second kick member 43 moves from thethird position P3 along the upper edge portion 55 a, and then moves to afourth position P4 in the vicinity of the corners of the upper edgeportion 55 a and the rear upper edge portion 55 f With this movement,the second kick member 43 quickly rotates in the clockwise directionbeyond the dead point as illustrated in FIG. 11C. As a result, in thedriving force interruption state, the engagement protrusion portion 433of the second kick member 43 abuts on the outer peripheral surface ofthe large diameter portion 428 of the returning gear 41 (can engage withthe engagement claw 429).

Here, the second kick member 43 is configured to rotate toward theengagement gear 42 while moving upward along with the rotation of theclutch operating member 23. As a result, when the engagement protrusionportion 433 abuts on the large diameter portion 428 of the engagementgear 42, the engagement protrusion portion comes into contact with theouter peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 428 while slidingin the upward direction.

Next, an operation at the time of returning from the driving forceinterruption state to the driving force transmission state will bedescribed. When the electric motor 6 is driven in the reverse rotationby the driving control of the control unit 60 in the driving forceinterruption state, the engagement gear 42 rotates in thecounterclockwise direction via the returning gear 41. Then, asillustrated in FIG. 11D, the engagement claw 429 abuts on the engagementprotrusion portion 433 of the second kick member 43 on the largediameter portion 428 of the returning gear 41, and thereafter, asillustrated in FIG. 11E, the engagement claw 429 pushes down the secondkick member 43. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , the guideprotrusion portion 436 of the second kick member 43 moves downward fromthe fourth position P4 along the rear upper edge portion 55 f and therear lower edge portion 55 e, and returns to the first position P1. Bythis movement, the second kick member 43 pushes the front end 23 c ofthe clutch operating member 23 downward, and rotates the clutchoperating member 23 in the clockwise direction. The rotation of theclutch operating member 23 returns the clutch mechanism 20 from thedriving force interruption state to the driving force transmissionstate.

Next, an operation in a case where the engagement claw 429 is in apositional relation of interfering with the engagement protrusionportion 433 at the time of sliding when the engagement protrusionportion 433 abuts on the large diameter portion 428 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 12 . In FIG. 12 , reference numeral PT1 denotesan initial abutting position at which the engagement protrusion portion433 of the second kick member 43 abuts on the large diameter portion 428of the engagement gear 42, reference numeral PT2 denotes a positionafter sliding of the engagement protrusion portion 433 on the outerperipheral surface of the large diameter portion 428, and referencenumeral L1 denotes a sliding distance thereof. Note that the engagementclaw 429 of the engagement gear 42 stops at an arbitrary position in thecircumferential direction, and the stop position is not controlled. FIG.12 illustrates a case where the engagement claw 429 indicated by abroken line is located on the side in the sliding direction of theinitial abutting position PT1 of the engagement protrusion portion 433.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the engagement protrusion portion 433 of thesecond kick member 43 abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the largediameter portion 428 at the initial abutting position PT1 of the outerperipheral surface of the large diameter portion 428, and then moves bythe sliding distance L1 to reach the position PT2 after the sliding. Inthe process of this movement, the engagement protrusion portion 433abuts on the engagement claw 429 and presses the engagement claw 429 inthe clockwise direction. Then, the large diameter portion 428 rotates inthe clockwise direction against the biasing force of the spring member425, and allows the sliding of the engagement protrusion portion 433. Asa result, even when the engagement claw 429 is located in the slidingdirection, the engagement claw 429 does not become an obstacle, and theengagement protrusion portion 433 suitably engages with the engagementclaw 429.

According to the present embodiment described above, since the movementof the second kick member 43 can be guided and restricted using thefixing plate 50, it is not necessary to separately provide a restrictionportion, and the configuration is simplified. Further, since it is notnecessary to provide the restriction portion on the side of the rightframe 2, space saving can be achieved accordingly. Therefore,miniaturization and weight reduction can be achieved.

Further, in a case where the restriction portion is provided on the sideof the right frame 2, it is necessary to separately apply a member forimproving slippage and a surface treatment in order to prevent wear dueto the repeated clutch operation, which may increase cost. On the otherhand, in the present embodiment, since the movement of the second kickmember 43 can be guided and restricted using the fixing plate 50, thecost can be reduced without increasing the number of components.Further, since the stainless steel materials slide with each other dueto the component configuration, deterioration of environmentalperformance due to deterioration of the surface treatment does notoccur.

Further, since the fixing plate 50 and the second kick member 43 aremade of a stainless steel material, sliding resistance can be reduced,and operability of the clutch mechanism 20 can be improved.

Further, since the fixing plate 50 can prevent the spring member 29 fromfalling off, the movement of the second kick member 43 is suitablymaintained.

Further, since the second kick member 43 is disposed between the rightframe 2 and the fixing plate 50, the second kick member 43 is easilyheld between the right frame 2 and the fixing plate 50 by disposing thesecond kick member 43 on the right frame 2 and attaching the fixingplate 50 from above the second kick member 43 when the components areassembled to the reel body 1. Therefore, the assembly work is simple.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 14, 15, and 16A to 16D.

A fishing electric reel 100A of the present embodiment is different fromthat of the first embodiment in that a fixing plate 50A comprises arestriction portion that guides and restricts the movement of a firstkick member 32. In the following description, the same portions as thoseof the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, andredundant description will be omitted. Note that, in the following FIGS.14, 15, and 16B to 16D, a coil spring 34 is omitted for simplicity.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a main structure ofa right side portion of the fishing electric reel, and FIG. 15 is aperspective view illustrating a structure of the right side portion ofthe fishing electric reel.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the fishing electric reel 100Acomprises only a first return mechanism 30 as a return mechanism on aright frame 2, and does not comprise a second return mechanism 40described in the first embodiment. Note that the fixing plate 50A of thepresent embodiment is obtained by changing a part of a shape of a fixingplate 50 of the first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 15 , the fixing plate 50A has a bent portion 57in which a lower end of an extension portion 52 b is bent toward theright frame 2. A stepped extension portion 58 extending stepwise towardthe right frame 2 is formed at a rear end of the bent portion 57. Thestepped extension portion 58 faces a square restriction hole 32 b of thefirst kick member 32 and is inserted into the restriction hole 32 b. Thestepped extension portion 58 functions as a restriction portion thatguides and restricts the movement of the first kick member 32.

In a driving force transmission state illustrated in FIG. 16A, the firstkick member 32 is pressed by the rotation of a clutch operating member23, rotates clockwise about a support pin 25 (see FIG. 15 ) as afulcrum, and is disposed at a position restricted by the steppedextension portion 58. As a result, in the driving force transmissionstate, an engagement portion 32 c is held in a state of being separatedfrom a ratchet 31.

On the other hand, when the first kick member 32 is switched from thedriving force transmission state to the driving force interruptionstate, the first kick member 32 is guided and restricted by the steppedextension portion 58 so that the engagement portion 32 c moves into arotational trajectory of the ratchet 31 as illustrated in FIG. 16B. Whenthe handle is operated to rotate in this state, the engagement portion32 c of the first kick member 32 abuts on (is kicked by) the ratchet 31,and moves rearward and obliquely upward as illustrated in FIG. 16C. Withthis movement, a distal end 32 e of the first kick member 32 abuts on arecess 23 j of the clutch operating member 23, and as a result, theclutch operating member 23 is rotated in a clockwise direction. Even inthis case, the movement of the first kick member 32 is guided andrestricted by the stepped extension portion 58.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 16D, the distal end 32 e of the firstkick member 32 further pushes the recess 23 j of the clutch operatingmember 23 rearward and obliquely upward, so that the clutch mechanism 20is returned from the driving force interruption state to the drivingforce transmission state. Even in this case, the movement of the firstkick member 32 is guided and restricted by the stepped extension portion58.

Note that a switching member 23 m is connected to the clutch operatingmember 23. The switching member 23 m is a member that is retractablefrom the right side plate 3 in conjunction with the rotation of theclutch operating member 23. The switching member 23 m is configured tobe substantially flush with the right side plate 3 in the driving forcetransmission state and protrude from the right side plate 3 in thedriving force interruption state. The switching member 23 m is operatedso as to be pushed toward the right side plate 3 from the state ofprotruding to the right side plate 3, so that the clutch operatingmember 23 is rotated in the clockwise direction, and the clutchmechanism 20 can be returned from the driving force interruption stateto the driving force transmission state.

According to the present embodiment described above, since the movementof the first kick member 32 can be guided and restricted using thefixing plate 50A, it is not necessary to separately provide therestriction portion, and the configuration is simplified. Further, sinceit is not necessary to provide the restriction portion on the side ofthe right frame 2, space saving can be achieved accordingly. Therefore,miniaturization and weight reduction can be achieved.

The embodiment according to the present disclosure has been describedabove. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment describedabove, and various modifications can be made.

For example, in the above embodiments, the present disclosure is appliedto the fishing electric reels 100 and 100A. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and the present disclosure may beapplied to a double bearing type fishing reel not including the electricmotor 6. In this case, the second return mechanism 40 may be configuredto return by receiving the driving force by the rotation operation ofthe handle.

In the above embodiments, the restriction portion is constituted usingthe guide hole 55 provided in the fixing plate 50. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and the second kick member 43 may beguided using the edge portion of the fixing plate 50 or the like.Further, the fixing plate 50 is constituted by one plate, but may beconstituted by combining a plurality of plates.

Further, the second kick member 43 is not limited to being disposedbetween the right frame 2 and the fixing plate 50, and may be disposedat a position away from the fixing plate 50.

Further, the fixing plate 50 is configured to retain the dividing springmember 28. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, andthe dividing spring member 28 may be exposed to reduce the size.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fishing reel comprising: a spool that isprovided between frames of a reel body and rotates by receiving at leasta driving force of a handle shaft; a clutch mechanism that switches thespool between a driving force transmission state and a driving forceinterruption state; and a return mechanism that causes the clutchmechanism that has been brought into the driving force interruptionstate to return to the driving force transmission state, the fishingreel further comprising: a clutch operating member that is provided inthe clutch mechanism and is brought into the driving force interruptionstate by an operation of a clutch lever; a clutch returning rotator anda kick member that are provided in the return mechanism, the clutchreturning rotator rotating by receiving a rotational force, the kickmember engaging with/disengaging from the clutch returning rotator andcausing the clutch operating member that has been brought into thedriving force interruption state to return to the driving forcetransmission state; and a fixing plate that is provided in the reel bodyand retains at least one of the handle shaft and the clutch operatingmember, wherein the fixing plate functions also as a restriction portionthat guides and restricts movement of the kick member.
 2. The fishingreel according to claim 1, further comprising a dividing spring thatelastically divides engagement/disengagement of the kick memberwith/from the clutch returning rotator, wherein the dividing spring isretained by the fixing plate.
 3. The fishing reel according to claim 1,wherein the kick member is disposed between the frame and the fixingplate.